Opening her eyes Julia stared out across the beautiful garden and smiled. The scenery was simply stunning, the high mountains rose steadily in the background, towering above the grassy pastureland, and the River Heart tumbled over the rocks. Foxglove Farm nestled in the distance and Drew was out on the quad bike riding over the fields with his son Finn clutching to his waist. This place was her own little piece of paradise, bought and paid for with the money from her grandfather’s house. Julia’s bed and breakfast was her whole world. The three-storey elegant country-style house dated back to the mid-1800s and was set in just over an acre of land, including the garden and its very own brook.
Julia had fallen in love with this place the second she saw it, and with its characteristic bedrooms and impressive living rooms with oak beams that ran the length of the ceilings alongside rustic log fires, she’d immediately put in an offer. Within months her own bed and breakfast business was up and running, and she never looked back.
Since Heartcross had been catapulted many times into the news over the last eighteen months, business was booming. The ‘No Vacancies’ sign had hung outside on the gate for months and Julia was continually turning customers away, so much so that she had decided to take the plunge and have plans drawn up for a two-storey extension on the back of the house with a luxury private annexe situated at the bottom of the garden. She couldn’t wait to extend her little empire and was waiting patiently with her fingers firmly crossed hoping the all-important letter would land on the mat and the planning permission would be granted.
‘Penny for them?’
Julia looked up and grinned. Eleni was standing in front of her wearing a long, lemon floaty dress with a beautiful bodice pulled in by a tight waistband. She was sporting a huge smile and swinging a parasol above her head, shielding herself from the afternoon rays.
‘You look like someone from the 1920s,’ Julia said and wished she was bolder with her dress sense. ‘In fact, you look like you should be on a film set… Pretty Woman, whereas I…’ Julia looked down at worn-out jogging pants and a T-shirt that was splattered with bleach stains. ‘Goodness knows where I should be.’
‘Are you calling me a prostitute?’ Eleni put her hand on her chest in mock protest then giggled. ‘And don’t put yourself down, you are rocking the grunge look, it’s very popular you know.’ Eleni tipped Julia a cheeky wink before propping her parasol up against the wall. ‘So come on, what have you got on your mind?’ Eleni tilted her head to one side.
‘Me, I was just thinking about life in general,’ admitted Julia, ‘and how far I’ve come in the last few years. This place makes me happy, the rooms are full, and it brings me joy every day… you know what, life is good.’
‘Good for you! Those hikers come back time after time, and that’s down to you,’ smiled Eleni pulling out a chair and parking herself next to Julia.
‘You’re too kind. What did you want to be when you grew up? What was your ambition Eleni?’
‘Me? That’s easy. I wanted to become Mrs Harry Styles or Prince Harry’s partner in crime. As you can imagine my parents weren’t keen on either, hence the reason they kind of kicked me out and I ended up fending for myself with every Harry running for the hills.’
Julia chuckled. Eleni Gladmore was in her early twenties, was always the comedian, and had begun working at the B&B only a few months ago. She was as reliable as the church clock and currently lived in a small flat in the town of Glensheil on the other side of the bridge.
Initially Eleni was hired on a month’s trial, but the second she’d stepped inside the B&B she had fitted in perfectly. With her wicked sense of humour and amazing baking skills – not to mention that she cooked up the best Full Scottish breakfast – Julia had hired her on the spot. It was lovely to have such company on a daily basis, and the pair of them spent most of their time smiling through the daily chores and dancing like loons as they cleaned and polished the house. They shared stories of their lives past and present, not to mention their religious Friday ‘working’ lunch in the pub.
Eleni reminded Julia of Merida, the Disney character from Brave with her long, wild, curly red hair, blue eyes, pale skin and slender body.
‘How’s your afternoon been?’ asked Eleni.
‘Interesting to say the least,’ affirmed Julia.
‘Go on… spill the beans because it can’t be any worse than my afternoon.’
Julia looked over towards Eleni. ‘OMG, how did it go?… The date?’
Eleni rolled her eyes. ‘It was over before it began, but that’s another story. Come on then, so what’s happened in the little village of Heartcross? A nuclear bomb… the Queen booked a room or… please don’t tell me Prince Harry actually turned up in the village… anything is possible after Zach Hudson.’ Zach Hudson was a celebrity heartthrob who’d turned up in the village to film a new documentary – but after his dog was run over, Rory the local vet had saved its life and the two had become great friends, and now were off saving lions in Africa.
Julia couldn’t help the smile on her face. ‘Prince Harry is taken, if there was a nuclear bomb, I wouldn’t be here to tell the tale and, no, the Queen hasn’t booked into the B&B.’
‘So what is it then?’
‘Flynn Carter…’
‘And who is Flynn Carter?’ asked Eleni, none the wiser.
‘A property developer, who’s just rented out Rory’s old house on Love Heart Lane.’
‘Do you know him?’
‘Yes, unfortunately I know him, and never in a month of Sundays did I ever think he would cross my path again.’
‘Oooh, you look kind of angry. What exactly has this Flynn Carter done?’
Julia explained the history behind Flynn’s ruthless business dealings and his dumping of Anais on their wedding day.
‘And this all happened five years ago,’ asked a wide-eyed Eleni, listening to the story.
Julia nodded. ‘I know I have all this,’ she swept her hand in front of her, ‘because of his money, but in my opinion, he didn’t play nicely. I should have walked away. I feel he cheated my grandad, in a way; he’d worked hard all his life.’ Julia raised an eyebrow. ‘And then there was what he did to Anais too.’
‘What sort of man does that? He actually dumped her on her wedding day?’ Eleni looked horrified. ‘That’s every girl’s worst nightmare. And the girl he ran off with, did he marry her?’ asked Eleni.
‘There’s no wedding ring,’ replied Julia, knowing that she’d clocked his hand when she saw him in the pub. ‘According to all sources, he’s bought the old Boathouse and is turning it into some sort of water sports centre. And rumours are Starcross Manor is being renovated into retirement flats. Whether that has something to do with him or not, I have no idea, but it seems likely since he’s moved into a house on Love Heart Lane.’
Eleni whipped her phone out of her bag and began to tap away, staring at the screen with intensity. ‘Mmm, Flynn Carter… property tycoon… businessman of the year twice running in the last two years, according to this… owner of a five-star chain of hotels… spa, golf course in Florida…’ Eleni let out a low whistle. ‘M-I-L-L-I-O-N-A-I-R-E,’ she strung the word out. ‘JEEZ!’
Eleni now had Julia’s full attention as she passed over her phone and pointed at the screen. ‘That man is wealthy, but yes, you’re right he’s not married, according to Google.’
Julia spent the next couple of minutes scrolling through Google. There was no mistaking Flynn Carter was a successful property developer with a string of five-star hotels under his Gucci belt, and his very first one still remained in Newton Stewart where her grandfather’s house had once stood.
‘Surely, he must have something to do with Starcross Manor,’ said Julia, thinking that the rickety old Boathouse on the edge of the River Heart was never going to generate an income as much as all his other successful businesses listed on the internet. ‘There’s no other vacant land this side of the bridge.’
‘Maybe he’s just had enough of
the hectic rat race and is looking to enjoy the quiet village life,’ suggested Eleni.
Julia gave her a look. ‘And that’s what I love above you youngsters… innocence. You mark my words: Flynn Carter is not looking to enjoy the quiet life. That man is ruthless, he’ll be up to something. There’s a reason he’s turned up here… we just don’t know what that reason is yet.’
Jokingly, Eleni wagged her finger. ‘Cynical, that’s what you are. What happened to your jilted friend, by the way?’ she asked, taking her phone back from Julia then continually scrolling through every image of Flynn Carter on the internet. ‘He’s definitely got that handsome, sultry, brooding look going on, hasn’t he?’ She turned the phone back to Julia, who had to admit he was physically attractive. He was the kind of guy who would turn heads wherever he went.
‘Anais moved on, got married, has two boys. Her Facebook is always filled with exotic holidays and fast cars. Looks like she lives a great life and is very happy.’
‘That must had been nerve-racking, getting married again. I’d be a nervous wreck putting myself through that again. Were you bridesmaid again?’
Julia shook her head. ‘No, not that time. It was an intimate affair, the two of them took themselves off and got married on a sandy beach in Jamaica. I can’t say I blame her.’
Eleni was still staring at Flynn’s image on her phone. ‘There’s something about this Flynn Carter, an air of confidence about him. A snappy dresser too,’ continued Eleni, finally putting her phone down.
‘Time will tell why he’s here, but my gut feeling isn’t good. Cup of tea or a glass of homemade lemonade?’
‘Lemonade for me please,’ answered Eleni.
‘And how was your date?’ remembered Julia, standing up.
Eleni rolled her eyes. ‘Not my type – would you believe he had a tattoo on his chest of George Michael.’
‘What? Don’t be daft… really?’
‘I kid you not. Only ten minutes into the date he ripped open his shirt and began singing “I’m Your Man”, pure embarrassment. Apparently at the weekend he doubles as a tribute act for Wham! But that is the first and last date, believe me.’
Julia couldn’t help but chuckle. ‘Oh my God, that’s hilarious, the youth of today.’
‘You aren’t that much older, you know.’
‘I have at least twenty years on you. And before you ask: no, I’ve not thought any more about my birthday.’
This year Julia was hitting the big 4–0. It didn’t faze her going into her fourth decade, and she would prefer not to make too much of a fuss, but there was no way her friends Isla, Allie and Felicity were going to allow it to slip by unnoticed. She wasn’t opposed to a few drinks down the Grouse and Haggis pub, but already Isla was researching weekend festivals, racing car days, and clay shooting weekends. After a few gin and tonics and in a drunken stupor, Julia had agreed to leave the birthday preparations in their capable hands, much to their delight.
‘I wouldn’t worry, I’m sure the girls have got it all under control,’ grinned Eleni.
‘I’m sure they have,’ replied Julia, raising an eyebrow. ‘And I’m sure you are in the thick of it all. I’ll get the lemonade.’ As Julia disappeared towards the kitchen, she twisted her long blonde hair and secured it in a bun. Woody, her faithful Cocker Spaniel, was hot on her heels hoping for an afternoon treat, and sat to attention next to the kitchen cupboard looking up longingly at the treat jar on the shelf next to the fridge.
‘How can I resist those adorable eyes,’ she muttered, ruffling the top of his head before unscrewing the lid and tossing him a biscuit, which he swallowed in one gulp.
‘No more, otherwise we will both be on a diet,’ chuckled Julia, reaching for the glasses.
The kitchen was Julia’s favourite place in the whole of the B&B, with its farmhouse sink and chequerboard floor. There was one Aga and two ovens, two fridges and the aluminium pots and pans hung from the wooden rack fixed to the ceiling. At the far end there was a real fire with an emerald green wingback armchair situated to the left, a battered brown leather sofa and a small coffee table which housed numerous magazines alongside the book she was currently reading.
She poured two glasses of lemonade and placed them down on a green floral tin tray alongside two pieces of cake Rona had dropped off from the teashop. Once back outside Julia handed over a huge wedge of cake on a white china plate.
‘You could never be on a diet in this place, could you?’ said Eleni, sinking her teeth in immediately, then letting out the biggest ‘mmm’ of approval.
‘Life is too short for all that diet malarkey. Love me… love my wobbly bits. I just need to find someone to love me now,’ laughed Julia, who had had numerous dates in the past couple of years, but nobody who had set her world on fire.
Wiping the crumbs from around her mouth, as well as the blob of cream that was resting on her chin, Eleni slipped a pile of envelopes towards Julie. ‘Maggie’s just dropped these off. She apologises for this morning’s late delivery of post, apparently she got caught out by a flat tyre on the van and was late starting her rounds.’
Julia flicked through the post. ‘Bills and more bills,’ she exclaimed, shuffling through the piles of letters. Then Julia placed a brown letter down on the table in front of her and stared.
‘What’s that one?’ asked Eleni, with intrigue.
‘That one is from The Highland Council.’ More than likely this letter was the decision that Julia had been nervously waiting for.
‘Is that what I think it is?’
‘I think it is,’ replied Julia nervously, still staring at the letter.
‘Well come on then, open it!’ urged Eleni, pushing her plate to the side and folding both arms on the table.
‘I daren’t, what if it’s not good news?’
‘And what if it is?’ Eleni shook her head in despair. ‘If you aren’t going to open it then I will.’ She crept her hand forward slowly, but Julia quickly grabbed the letter and slipped her finger under the edge of the envelope and tore it open. She held her breath as she scanned the words as quickly as possible, and there was the decision, right before her eyes in black and white.
Julia tipped her head back and briefly closed her eyes. ‘Planning permission for a two-storey extension has been granted,’ Julia waved the letter above her head. ‘Whoo-hoo! Oh my God. They said yes!’ Excitement surged through Julia’s body, it had taken her nearly three years to save and secure a loan from the bank, but now the wait was finally over. She stood up and punched the air and began jigging on the spot.
‘Congratulations! This is brilliant,’ squealed Eleni. ‘I’m so happy for you, but I suppose this means I’m going to have twice as many bedrooms to clean.’
‘Absolutely you are!’ Julia was over the moon. She’d already organised numerous quotes from a handful of builders and now one of those quotes was going to become reality. She couldn’t wait, her little business empire was finally expanding.
‘When do you think all the building work is going to start then?’ asked Eleni, taking a sip of her drink.
Julia paused and thought about it for a second. ‘Hopefully as soon as possible.’ Since Heartcross had become a famous village she’d already turned away numerous bookings and she didn’t want that to happen again. Even though there may possibly be building work during the Christmas period, it would be worth it, knowing she would double her income by March.
‘I think we need to celebrate,’ suggested Eleni, looking over the letter. She was genuinely chuffed for her boss.
‘We could grab a drink at the pub after I’ve taken you for a driving lesson… my treat,’ suggested Julia.
‘Now you’re talking! What’s the plan? Shall we use the carpark again up at Starcross Manor, you never know, we might even bump into that Flynn guy,’ replied Eleni, flicking through the pages of the free newspaper that had been delivered alongside the post.
‘In fact, there he is, the man himself.’
‘Huh,’
answered Julia, rubbing the side of her jaw.
‘Have you still got toothache?’ asked Eleni, turning the newspaper towards Julia. Staring back at her was the face of Flynn Carter.
‘Yes, but never mind that, what’s he doing in there?’ asked Julia, her eyes quickly scanning the article. Immediately her eyes were drawn to his. He had the look of a movie star, a charismatic smile and she had to admit, he was extremely photogenic. ‘There’s no getting away from this man,’ she said, feeling a little irritation towards him – there he was, invading her little world once more.
‘The old Boathouse,’ continued Eleni, ‘an all-new singing and dancing water sports centre for the tourists. That will be a massive hit with the locals too.’
Judging by all the articles she’d read, it was obvious Flynn knew a good business opportunity when he saw it. Since the bridge had collapsed last year and Heartcross had been catapulted into the news, the amount of tourists climbing the mountain had multiplied, and re-opening the Boathouse would no doubt be very popular with all the activity junkies that frequented the area.
‘There’s definitely fun to be had, especially in the summer months…’ Eleni pointed to a line in the article. ‘Look, he’s said here… opening up within the next month. He’s definitely sticking around.’
Julia looked over the article. ‘I still don’t trust the man. Flynn Carter doesn’t do anything unless there’s something big in it for him. There’s more to him being back in Heartcross than just the Boathouse, mark my words.’
‘Watch this space,’ replied Eleni, closing the newspaper. ‘Right, shall we get this driving lesson underway? Then we can get to the pub and celebrate your good news.’
‘Absolutely,’ agreed Julia, still thinking about Flynn.
‘But you do know if he’s moved into the village, you are going to come across at him at some point?’
It was like Eleni had just read her mind.
‘Yes, I know, and between you and me I’m not looking forward to it.’ Julia knew in such a small village that she was bound to bump into him, but she wasn’t sure if Flynn would even recognise her. Julia wished she knew the real reason why Flynn Carter had descended on their village. Maybe it was just because of the Boathouse. Only time would tell.
Starcross Manor Page 2